Neurology
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Comparative Study
Higher atrophy rate of entorhinal cortex than hippocampus in AD.
To determine if atrophy rates were higher for entorhinal cortex (ERC) than for hippocampus in Alzheimer disease (AD), to determine the relationship between hippocampal atrophy rate and memory impairment, and to compare atrophy rates of ERC and hippocampus in differentiating between patients with AD and cognitively normal (CN) controls. ⋯ The finding in AD that the atrophy rate in the entorhinal cortex is higher than in the hippocampus is consistent with the view that AD pathology begins in the entorhinal cortex.
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Comparative Study
Sensory exam with a quantitative tuning fork: rapid, sensitive and predictive of SNAP amplitude.
In the standard neurologic examination, outcome measures of sensation testing are typically qualitative and subjective. The authors compared the outcome of vibratory sense evaluation using a quantitative Rydel-Seiffer 64 Hz tuning fork with qualitative vibration testing, and two other features of the neurologic evaluation, deep tendon reflexes and sensory nerve conduction studies. ⋯ Quantitative vibratory evaluation with Rydel-Seiffer tuning fork is rapid, has high inter- and intrarater reliability, and provides measures for evaluating changes in sensory function over time. Examinations with the quantitative tuning fork are also more sensitive and specific than qualitative vibration testing for detecting changes in sensory nerve function. Use of the quantitative tuning fork takes no more time, provides more objective information, and should replace the qualitative vibratory testing method that is now commonly used in the standard neurologic examination.
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Comparative Study
DWI abnormalities and clinical characteristics in TIA patients.
To determine the clinical characteristics of diffusion-weighted images (DWIs) in patients with TIA. ⋯ TIA-related DWI abnormalities are associated with prolonged duration of TIA and disturbance of higher brain function. More sustained and extensive ischemia may contribute to DWI abnormalities in patients with TIA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Systemic lidocaine in pain due to peripheral nerve injury and predictors of response.
To investigate the effects of IV lidocaine on spontaneous and evoked pain (allodynia and hyperalgesia) due to peripheral nerve injury (postherpetic neuralgia or nerve trauma) using quantitative sensory testing. ⋯ These data indicate modality-specific antihyperalgesic effects of IV lidocaine in patients with peripheral nerve injury. Patients with mechanical allodynia may be good candidates for treatment with local anesthetic-like drugs and possibly with other sodium-channel blockers.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Unilateral pallidotomy versus bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation in PD: a randomized trial.
To compare the efficacy of unilateral pallidotomy and bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation in patients with advanced Parkinson disease (PD) in a randomized, observer-blind, multicenter trial. ⋯ Bilateral STN stimulation is more effective than unilateral pallidotomy in reducing parkinsonian symptoms in patients with advanced PD.